Numbers 9
The Israelites keep the Passover in the second year after leaving Egypt. They do as the Lord commanded them 1-5. Note: It struck me that the Israelites did many of the things God had commanded them (1:2,44, 2:34, 3:16, 4:49, 5:4, 8:20, 9:5,19,23). They kept His law, but could not do so perfectly as their history records. That is why there was need for numerous sacrifices. God makes provision for those who want to keep the Passover yet are unable because of defilement or a journey 6-12.  A failure to keep it for other reasons resulted in being cut off 13. The Lord also welcomes the alien who desires to celebrate the Passover, however they must do so according to His regulations 14.
The Cloud above the Tabernacle, which indicated the Lord's presence, would lift - meaning they were to move out or it would settle - meaning they would encamp 17-18. God determined how long or how short their stay in one place would be 19-22. They obeyed the Lord in this 23. Note: This makes me think of the believer's life being led by the Holy Spirit. Some opportunities to witness for Christ or bear fruit for Christ in some service to the Lord may be brief or long term, over time. Spiritual growth, maturity, and practice teaches us how to discern the will of God, obey His Word, and follow the lead of His Spirit in daily life.

Numbers 10
The Lord gives instructions for the use of Trumpets. They were to serve as a signal for the whole congregation to assemble 3, or just leaders 4, or to move out 5-7, or when going to battle 8-9, and when rejoicing and over the burnt & fellowship offerings 10. This was to remind the people of the Lord their God 10b. God uses all the senses to gain the attention of the people. Note: One day the trumpet call of God will signal the resurrection and our gathering together unto Him               (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) I add my voice to John's who said 'even so (amen), come Lord Jesus' - Revelation 22:20b.
The Israelites break camp and move out from Mt. Sinai at the command of the Lord 11-13. They follow the ranks God had established 14-28. Moses invites Hobab to join them 29. He refuses 30. Moses encourages him to come along, because he could be of help and would be blesses 31-32. He apparently goes along ('They' set out...) 33. Moses prays these words when they set out and when they camped 35-36. Note: We should invite others to join us in following the Lord and share in all the good things He bestows on us ! (Luke 14:16-23)

Numbers 11
The people complain about their circumstances and the Lord consumes some of them with fire. Moses intercedes and the fire dies down 1-3. The people are stirred up by the rabble ('mixed-multitude') who want other food 4-6. Note: Discontent can spread easily. Moses wants to die out of frustration over the crying of the people 10-16. Note: Were they acting like babies ? God responds by putting His Spirit on 70 leaders of the people to help Moses carry the burden 17-30. In the midst of this Moses questions the Lord 21-23 ? The Lord proves Himself by providing them quail to eat 31-32. He then strikes some of them down 33-35. The place is renamed 'the graves of lust' 34. Note: The difficulties of the journey bring out the true character of the people. God gives them their request and judges them because they rejected the Lord (20) and craved intently something other than Himself 33-34. Can you or I be guilty of the same sin ? God can give us what we crave, want, and lust by allowing us to have it along with the consequences and His judgment.

Numbers 12
 Aaron and Miriam speak against Moses. They use another issue they have (1) to question Moses position and role 2. Moses is said to be very humble 3 and one whom God spoke to 'face to face' as no other prophet 8. Take note that the Lord hears our complaints and criticism 11:1,18; 12:2b.
Miriam is struck by the Lord with leprosy 9-12. Moses prays for her healing 13. She is separated from the camp for seven days 14-16. Note: The consequences of sin hinder the movement of God's people 15. In reading this I am reminded to check my 'critical' attitude. When I am critical of a fellow believer am I guilty of speaking against the Lord ? This text indicates that God takes these matters seriously.

Numbers 13
The Lord tells Moses to select leaders, one form each tribe, who will go in the land of Canaan (the promised land) to explore it 1-20. They are there for 40 days and bring back some of the produce of the land 21-25. A big bunch of grapes 23. The land is truly good. Theses spies report to the people that the land indeed does 'flow with milk and honey' 27, but there are big and powerful people living there 28-29. The majority conclude we can't enter the land because their focus in on themselves rather than the Lord 31-33. Caleb says they should and can go in because of the Lord 30. He was a man of faith who focused on the Lord not on the obstacles (see: Joshua 14:8) Note: What is my response to an opportunity God sets before me faith or fear ?

Numbers 14
This chapter illustrates the sad and hard consequences of sin, unbelief, and rebellion against God. The reaction of the people was weeping and grumbling all night. This was misery of their own making 1-4 for God wanted them to go in. They totally missed the fact that they were people who had the true and living God in their midst. Caleb and Joshua try to remind them of this fact 6-9. They respond with the desire to stone them 10. The Lord with righteous indignation considers destroying all of them ans starting over with Moses 10b-12. Note: God is not pleased with our unbelief, especially when He has made Himself known in mighty ways. Moses again intercedes appealing to the nature and character of the Lord 13-19. The Lord forgives them, yet there is sever consequences 20-36. No one who was over the age of 20 would enter in and enjoy the promised land 29, except Caleb and Joshua 30,38. The men who gave the bad report died in a plague 30-37. The people say 'sorry' and want to go in, however they are defeated because the Lord was not with them 39-45. Note: There are many lessons here that apply to the spiritual life of the believer. I highlight the following: the unbelief of a few can effect many as a whole 36, a person will reap more than they sow (40 years = one year for each of the 40 days spent in the land 34) (see: Galatians 6:7-10); though God forgives sin He does not always remove all the consequences of sin 20-23, some opportunities to believe and obey God which bring a deeper relationship with Him, can be forever lost because of a refusal to obey which springs from unbelief, God may choose to wait for the next generation to move His purposes forward 31.

Numbers 15
The Lord gives further instructions concerning offerings that were to be brought to Him while in the land 1-14. Note: God's purpose of bringing His people into the land did not change it was just delayed. The Lord considered the alien in the same way He did His own people in regards to the offering of a sacrifice 15-16. Both were able to be forgiven for unintentional sin by means of sacrifices 22-29. Sins that were deliberate resulted in being cut off from the people with no possible forgiveness 30-31. The account of the Sabbath breaker illustrates this truth 32-36. The people were commanded to put blue tassels on their garments to remind them to keep the Lord's commands and shun sin by fulfilling their own lusts 37-41. Note: In this chapter we see the mercy and grace of God who forgives the sin of all who come to Him on His terms (ie. by means of sacrifice). We also see the severity of God, in that He does judge and punish the sin of the rebellious. Like tassels on the garments, believers today must keep both of these truths in mind. We do this by reading the Word of God, believing it and obeying it.

Numbers 16
Here we have the record of the rebellion of Korah 1-3,12-15. He is swallowed alive by the earth opening up 31-34. Also 250 men are consumed in the fire of God 35-38, plus another 14,700 die in a plague that comes from the Lord 41-50. All this occurs because of the rebellious attitudes and actions on their part. Note: These events reveal to us the hardness of the human heart and the sinfulness of our condition that can be in such opposition to God. It also shows that the wages of sin is death 38 (see: Romans 6:23)  A very clear understanding that one will face God in judgment is not enough to keep some from sinning against Him as indicated by verse 41 "the next day..." The same people who saw the hand of God judge the rebels, act the same way themselves. May we never forget "Our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29).

Numbers 17
God affirms the one He has chosen to be a leader of His people by causing that man's rod to sprout 5. Aaron's rod not only sprouted, but budded, blossomed, and produced almonds 8 (Truly a miracle !)
There is no doubt - Aaron was God's chosen man. Moses is commanded to keep this rod as a testimony to the people 10-11. The Israelites cry that they are doomed to die 12-13. I do not know why they have this sudden out burst here ? Note: God confirms individuals that He has raised up to be one of the leaders among His people. This principle hold true in our day as well. We are to recognize genuine ministry as coming from the Lord by the fruit seen in one's life; if it lines up with the Word of God or not (Matthew 7:15-20; 1 John 4:1-3).